Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison applauded Ollie Watkins after he put Aston Villa in front against Southampton on Saturday. 

The lowdown

After dropping to the bench for the defeat against Watford last month, Watkins earned his second consecutive start, lining up alongside Danny Ings and Philippe Coutinho in Steven Gerrard's attack.

The 26-year-old had given The Villans the lead against Brighton and Hove Albion last time out and he repeated that feat here, beating Southampton defender Jack Stephens before firing past Fraser Forster.

It was his seventh goal of the campaign overall, taking him two clear of Jacob Ramsey at the top of the club's scoring charts.

The latest

Speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday programme, Morrison called Watkins' finish 'fantastic'.

He marvelled at the fact that the £75,000-per-week Englishman turned Stephens 'like he wasn't there'.

The verdict

This was a doubly significant goal for Aston Villa.

It marked the first time Danny Ings, a £26.5million summer signing, and Watkins had combined for a goal.

Questions have been asked (by The Athletic's Gregg Evans, for instance) about whether the pair can function effectively as a partnership.

Gerrard, then, may be particularly satisfied to see his faith in the pair finally rewarded.

After all, it's a big call to start both players when you have the likes of Leon Bailey (who cost £28.8million) and Emiliano Buendia (£34.56million) available on your bench.

In other news, Gregg Evans reacts to this injury blow.